Fingerprint-free technology could be introduced at border crossings this year, according to multiple media reports, citing the Office of the Secretary for Security.
The iris recognition software would first be installed at immigration turnstiles when crossing to Zhuhai and are being considered for Hengqin also, the office said in response to a written query from lawmaker Leong Sun Iok.
The disclosure follows remarks made last year by Wong Sio Chak, the security secretary, who told lawmakers that Macao One Account app users would eventually be able to move through checkpoints by flashing their phones.
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Movement across the border has soared with the ending of travel restrictions in January.
According to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), more than 592,000 visitors arrived via the Border Gate in January and over 230,000 by Hengqin Port.
The expected lifting in May of the daily round-trip restriction on travel between Macao and Zhuhai could also boost numbers.
Currently, individual travellers are only allowed to make one round-trip across the border into neighbouring Zhuhai via the Gongbei and Qingmao checkpoints every 24 hours.
